Latch for trouser creaser or the like



June 24, 1958 FELlx 2,840,401

LATCH FOR TROUSER CREASER OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 26, 1955 FIGQZZ INVENTOR.

BY %Ziorney5 United States Patent G LATCH FOR TROUSER CREASER OR THE LIKE Otto Felix, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Application January 26, 1955, Serial No. 484,176

4 Claims. ((31. 287-58) My invention relates to trouser creasers of a well known type consisting of a pair of generally U-shaped frame members which are slidably secured together. Said frames are inserted within the legs of the trousers and may be adjusted relative to each other so as to apply tension to the fabric of the trousers and thus hold them in shape. If the trouser legs are moistened at the edges and allowed to dry on the frames, they will take a crease.

My invention has to do more particularly with an improved latch member whereby the frames are adjustably secured together.

According to my invention, I provide a clamp or latch which is simple and inexpensive in construction and convenient and efficient in operation, the same comprising a member fixedly secured to one of the U-shaped frames and slidable with reference to a contiguous parallel portion of the other frame, and having a resilient rotatable cam lever movable into and out of frictional engagement with said slidable frame.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a complete trouser creaser equipped with latches embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the trouser creaser shown in Fig. land illustrating my improved clamping member;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view, on a further enlarged scale, taken longitudinally of the creaser frames and detailing a latch embodying my invention; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of my improved latch.

Referring first to the embodiment of Figs. l-3, inclusive, the trouser creaser comprises a pair of generally U-shaped frame members 10, the ends of the legs of said frame members overlying each other in juxtaposed relation, as seen clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, so as to be relatively slidable against each other. The terminal portions of the legs of the frame members 10 are curled to form an eyelet 12 which is secured by any suitable means as by welding to a U-shaped stirrup 15 which encompasses and is slidable relative to the bar 10.

Slidable relative to both bars 10 and 10' is a U-shaped stirrup embracing both of said bars and having a bearing rod 23 extending betweenthe legs of said stirrup.

Rotatably mounted on said rod 23 is a resilient lever 30. This lever may be formed of any suitable flexible material, such as metal wire or ribbon, etc., so long as it is sufficiently tempered to be resilient. The lever comprises a loop portion 32 journalling the bearing rod 23, a roughly S-shaped portion 35 and a free outwardly extending portion 37 serving as a manipulating element.

It will be apparent that by manually depressing the manipulating portion 37 a loop of the S-shaped portion of the lever may be rotated clockwise into a position in resilient clamping engagement with the bar 10. Thus, the lever serves as a cam lock, the spring pressure of lever 37 against the face of bar 10 being suflicient to prevent relative sliding movement between the bars 10 Fatentecl June 24, 1958.

and 10. Thus, the bars may be locked in adjusted position relative to each other.

By rotating the lever 37 counter-clockwise, the lever is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, where the S-shaped loop is out of engagement with bar 10 and the bars are then free for relative sliding movement.

Fig. 4' shows a modification of my invention, wherein the lever 30 takes a different form, the other parts being substantially the same as in the first embodiment. In this case the lever 30 likewise is formed of resilient material and has a terminal loop 32 serving as a journal for bearing rod 23.. The lever continues from the loop 32 in the form of an approximate spiral 40, terminating in the free manipulating portion 37. In this case, as in the former embodiment, clockwise rotation of the lever by depressing the manipulating portion 37 cams the spiral portion of the lever into clamping engagement with bar 10'.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved clamp for a pair of relatively slidable members, which is simple and effective and at the same time extremely inexpensive to fabricate. The locking effect is eflicient, and I find that it is unnecessary to knurl the surface of the bar 10' to insure proper clamping effect.

I am aware that it is well known to clamp together relatively slidable parallel sheets, plates, bars, etc., by means of eccentric levers, pawls and the like. However, so far as I am aware, I am the first to have conceived the idea of providing a simple resilient clamp of the type herein shown and described for the purpose mentioned.

Various changes and modifications coming within the spirit of my invention will doubtless suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific form shown or uses mentioned.

I claim:

1. In combination with a pair of relatively slidable parallel members, a latch for retaining said members in longitudinally fixed relation to each other comprising a trunnion slidably embracing both members, and a lever pivoted to said trunnion and having a resilient portion eccentric to the outer surface of an adjacent member, said lever having a free finger portion for actuating the same, whereby said lever may be rotated into clamping engagement with said outer surface, said lever being formed of a single piece of flexible and resilient tenuous material, one end of which forms a journal, said trunnion having bearing means supporting said journal.

2. A- combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever has a spiral formation extending from said bearing, a portion of said spiral being engageable with said outer surface in one position of the lever and out of such engagement in another position thereof.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever has an S-formation extending from said bearing, one loop of said formation being engageable with said outer surface in one position ofthe lever and out of such engagement in another position thereof.

'4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever has a loop therein which in one position of the lever bears resiliently against said outer face and in another position thereof is disengaged from said face.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

